In brief
The first confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria in more than ten years was identified in Abuja on 20 October 2026. Health authorities named the patient as the wife of a Swiss diplomat and a 42‑year‑old Ugandan‑born woman. The patient developed symptoms four days after returning from Uganda and is now in isolation, showing signs of improvement. Authorities have not isolated her husband, who remains symptom‑free, and have confirmed that all 25 staff members at the Swiss embassy in Nigeria are healthy. Investigations into her travel history and possible exposure continue, with genomic sequencing underway to trace any links to other recent outbreaks.
Abuja, Nigeria – 20 October 2026
A 42‑year‑old woman born in Uganda, who lives in Abuja, tested positive for Ebola on Thursday. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed that she is the wife of a Swiss diplomat who is currently in isolation but has not developed symptoms.
This is the first confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria since 2014. The patient spent about a week at a private clinic in Abuja with symptoms before her diagnosis.
Health authorities believe she contracted the virus while travelling in Uganda earlier this month, though the exact source remains unverified. Uganda borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, which recently declared itself free of Ebola after a deadly outbreak that caused 4,600 deaths.
The Swiss ministry confirmed that the eight Swiss and 17 Nigerian employees of its embassy in Nigeria are healthy and do not need isolation, after consultation with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The embassy remains open and operational, with health and safety measures in place. The wife is receiving treatment in isolation and is improving, according to WHO officials.
Investigators are examining travel logs and possible contact with a Kenyan man who died of Ebola after travelling from DR Congo through Uganda. The Kenyan case was the first recorded Ebola death in Kenya.
Genomic sequencing is being carried out by Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to determine any link to the Bundibugyo species of Ebola that caused the DR Congo outbreak.
Authorities are tracing and monitoring additional contacts beyond the initial 44 identified. The WHO has urged regional vigilance and strengthened surveillance across borders, particularly between DR Congo and Uganda.
Public health experts emphasize that Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated objects, not airborne transmission. Symptoms include fever, severe weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea. Early detection, contact tracing, isolation and treatment are crucial to prevent further spread.
